Do You Think it's a Good Idea?

My life has been a complex journey, and you may wonder at what point I was driven as a middle-aged woman to pack my bags, travel halfway across the world to China to teach English, not even speaking the native language, and all this right at the beginning of a pandemic. You may be correct in thinking perhaps I was insane. However, I was also opportunistic, hopeful, and somehow lost, chasing a dream to fill my soul.
When my son, Callum, passed away in 2015 at the age of only 18, I was so destroyed that I could not see beyond my grief and inconceivable loss, and all of what life was and what I knew was shattered. I had no desire to wake each day. I withdrew for many years and focused on keeping my mind active and blocking out almost everything and everyone as a coping mechanism. I constantly worked, studied and gained numerous qualifications, facilitated volunteer programmes and established a foundation; all of this back-to-back in a short timeframe. I was consistently evolving, but I was exhausted, both mentally and emotionally; avoiding the grief took so much energy. With the loss of Callum and the path that I have been forced to walk upon, I discovered an innate desire and determination to travel to China and teach.
Callum led me to all my achievements, and I hope that he will be proud of all that I have established. On my return to Australia, I decided to write this book and share the experience of my journey, which for the most part, was a challenge but also a heart-warming experience at times and one that taught me so much about resilience and strength. Being a foreigner in an unfamiliar country really opened my eyes to the challenges immigrants face and just how difficult it is to adjust. I hope you will read my story with an open heart, and I encourage you to step beyond your limitations and find your dream.